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Kinda of a dumb question now that I read it again. But nobody is making the NYSW's 2 SD40-2's. Both started as NW and NS SD40 high hoods. They were rebuilt with chopped hoods and upgraded to -2 stuff. One of the -2's seems to have a long rear porch then other other from I can tell. I am also pretty sure they have 88'' nose.
I'de be going with an athearn. So should I go with a regular SD40 or SD40-2?
Without pictures it's hard to say for sure........from the factory SD40-2's had a longer rear porch than the SD40 and were about 3 ft longer. Along with that, the rear truck was about 3 ft farther to the rear on the dash2. So if the units you're trying to model started out as SD40's that should probably be the starting point.
Conrail had an upgrade program which upgraded numerous SD40s to SD40-2 internally, however, the externally they were still SD40s. If the units you wish to model were SD40s, before the upgrade, I would use the SD40 body and frame, as the SD40-2s had a different appearance from the factory.
Steve,
After a quick photo search, I found out that NYSW has 3 SD40-2's.
NYSW 3018 started life as Southern #3267 a high-hood SD40-2, while #3020 & #3022 started out as SD40's.
To build 3018 you would want to use an SD40-2 as a starting point.
And for the 3020, 3022 a SD40 would be your best starting point.
Dan thanks. I forgot about 3020. Its been sitting in the dead line for about 3 years. But it would be nice to model. Not much done to it but a patch over the NS logos.
As mentioned an SD40-2 is on a longer frame than an SD40. Not to mention varying details like longer truck frames, larger battery boxes under the cab, roof overhang, sight glass on the long hood etc.
So you really can't use an SD40 to realistically model an SD40-2. However, if the unit you're modelling was originally built as an SD40 and later upgraded to -2 or -3 standards, then you must use an SD40 and not an SD40-2.
well whenever money permits im going to get 2 athearn units. 1 SD40 and the other a SD40-2. I started taking pictures of the NYSW former SD40 since it was sitting on there house track and easily viewable.
resurrecting this as I am adding 2 SD40's to my bday/christmas list.
Ok now that I know I need 1 SD40-2 and an SD40 to model the current running locomotives, I need to know what size nose do I purchase? I know its going to be either an 81 or 88 inch nose. But how do I tell?
ok cool. the photo's look deceiving sometimes. one looks longer then other. But this will help out. Hopefully I can find a place that has an SD40 and and SD40-2 with an 81 inch nose.
well on modeltrainstuff.com they have a LLPX in the SD40-2 in 81 inch and a FURX SD40 in 81 inch. Emailed the wife the two. I was really hoping to get an undecorated one but i searched the net and found none. Doesn't matter, these 2 are getting stripped once I get them.
Mark, once again you are the man. I was informed by the misses that the order that i had asked for my bday tomorrow had to be postponed due to her business trip. So looks like i'll start to stock pile the necessary detailing parts for these two sd40's.
